why is it so hard to edit grub

You can't edit grub from windows. The files are on the ubuntu partition and windows can't read and write to it (well there is a special tool I've heard of but have never used it). Your best bet is to boot ubuntu, open a terminal and type

gksudo gedit /boot/grub/menu.lst

and edit away. Of course, if you don't edit correctly you will bork your system.

To remove grub just use the windows CD and use the repair tool. I don't use windows so I can't be very specific about how it's done. If you want expert windows help try a windows forum :)

removing grub from my system is a ubuntu linux question
I think that it is unwise to not allow the easy removal of grub this would make it easier for people to try ubuntu with out being worried about messing up their computer

I work on other peoples systems and I am trying to not bork their computers
I believe all programs should provide a means for uninstalling

to remove the grub, if you have a windows boot disk, just boot and do:

FDISK /MBR

this will remove grub.

hugs

You can't just uninstall grub. It is a boot loader and is written to the MBR of the drive. Removing it will cause the system to not boot. You have to overwrite it. The inability just simply uninstall it is intentional, not a fault. Use the tools provided by windows for fixing the MBR if you want to have a windows only system.

Also, please realize that removing grub is not a Linux question since removing it would make Linux not work. Fixing grub is a Linux question. Overwriting grub to allow only windows to boot is a windows question. Fortunately, some ubuntu users know a lot about windows and are willing to help even when windows users are not. Just one of the many reasons ubuntu rocks. Follow André's info and you will be good to go.

Cheers